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Ken Brown Wines

Ken Brown is one of Santa Barbara County’s originals. He has been crafting wine in the area since 1977 and was the founding winemaker at both Zaca Mesa Winery and Byron Winery. Ken was one of the first to realize the potential of Santa Barbara County to produce fine Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. He was also the first to introduce Pinot Noirs relatives, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc, and Syrah, to the area. After leaving Byron Winery in 2003, he started his own label specializing in small lot Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. He has downsized considerably, with only himself and his wife, Deborah, running the show, and producing a modest 2,500 cases of wine at Terravant Wine Center in Buellton, CA. Brown still consults for a number of larger labels.

Brown started the Byron label in 1984, sold it to the Robert Mondavi family in 1990 and stayed on as winemaker until 2005. He started the Ken Brown label in 2003, moved into a shared warehouse facility in Lompoc in 2005, and then to Terravant in 2008.

Brown has access to many of Santa Barbara's best Pinot Noir vineyards including Cargassachi, Rancho La Vina, Clos Pepe and Nielson.

2013 Ken Brown Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.71, TA 0.59, 787 cases, $35.
A blend of grapes from multiple vineyards in Santa Barbara County with nearly half from Rio Vista
Vineyard. 100% de-stemmed, pre-fermentation cold soak, aged 11 months in French oak barrels,
30% new.
·Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Promiscuous aromas of dark, earthy
cherry, red licorice, spice and a hint of smoke are the best feature of this wine. A light to mid weight
offering that has enough earthy cherry flavor to satisfy, although the mid palate wants for more
intensity. Forward drinking, with modest tannins, a compliment of oak, and a cherry-fueled finish that is not
particularly long, but flavorful.Score:89.
Reviewed November 22, 2015ARTICLE&nbsp»

2013 Ken Brown Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.68, TA 0.61, 416 cases, $45. 36% Radian
Vineyard, 32% Rio Vista Vineyard, 21% Buona Terra Vineyard, and 11% Rita’s Crown Vineyard. 100% destemmed,
pre-fermentation cold soak, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 32% new.
·Moderate reddish
purple color in the glass. The nose reminds of walking in a recently cultivated field with aromas of earth and
mushroom, and a bit of dark cherry and black raspberry. A step up in fruit intensity from the Santa Barbara
County bottling, featuring flavors of purple and black fruits and a hint of iron. There is deft oak treatment, the
tannins and acidity are well proportioned, and the juicy finish really satisfies. A well composed appellation wine.Score:90.
Reviewed November 22, 2015ARTICLE&nbsp»

2013 Ken Brown La Encantada Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.59, TA 0.54, 287
cases, $60. 69% Swan selection and 31% Dijon 115 clone. 100% de-stemmed, cold soak, aged 11 months in
French oak barrels, 33% new.
·Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of cherry syrup and
red berry preserves are lavish. Satiny and quite elegant in the mouth, with tame tannins, integrated acidity, a
deft touch of oak, and a vibrant array of dark red fruits that linger modestly on the finish. One of the more
distinguished wines I have had from this vineyard.Score:92.
Reviewed August 17, 2016ARTICLE&nbsp»

2013 Ken Brown Rita’s Crown Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., pH 3.51, TA 0.56, 323 cases, $60. This is one of the
highest elevation vineyards in the region at 600 to 950 feet. The
soils are shallow and the vines are exposed to coastal fog and
ocean winds. Planted in 2007, it has quickly become one of the
most highly regarded vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Clones
667, 777 and “828.”
·Moderate reddish purple color in the glass.
Soaring perfume with an array of dark fruits including black cherry and
black raspberry, with a hint of spice and rose petal. Flat-out delicious mid
weight plus core of black raspberry and blackberry fruit flavors matched
to balanced tannins and juicy acidity. The mid palate attack is eye
opening, the seductive mouthfeel is velvety, and the richly endowed
finish leaves an impression. A very classy offering from one of Central
California’s winemaking icons, and one of the best Pinots I have had from this region in 2015.Score:94.
Reviewed November 22, 2015ARTICLE&nbsp»

2012 Ken Brown Radian Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., pH 3.43, TA 0.61, 203 cases, $70. This vineyard is
located at the extreme western end of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA and
is one of the coldest vineyards on the West Coast. Soils are
rocky clay loam with generous amounts of diatomaceous earth.
70% clone 667 and 30% clone 115. 100% de-stemmed, cold
soak, aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 38% new.
·Moderate
reddish purple color in the glass. The proximity to the ocean is reflected
in this wine with its aroma of sea breeze accompanying scents of black
raspberry, blackberry and graphite. A complex and unique wine, with mid
weight plus flavors of purple and black fruits, anise, cardamom, and
cassis. Rich and sappy, but refined, with impeccable balance, and an
extremely persistent finish that dazzles with charming purple fruited aromatic goodness.Score:94.
Reviewed August 17, 2016ARTICLE&nbsp»

2011 Ken Brown Nielson Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay

14.2% alc., pH 3.33, TA 0.63, 138 cases, $38. Sourced
from replanted vines using cuttings from the original old vines
including Wente clone. Ken has worked with this vineyard for more
than 30 years. Whole cluster pressed, barrel fermented, 75%
malolactic fermentation, aged sur lie 10 months in 17% new French
oak barrels.
·Light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. I was
enchanted with the nose that offered aromas of tropical fruits, pear,
buttered brioche and slate. Delicious compliment of lemon, baked pear and
apple flavors with the slightest hint of complimentary French oak. The wine
really brings you to attention on entry and holds on for a satisfying, acid-driven finish. Very soft in the mouth
and appealing now, but has the balance for a long life in the cellar.Score:94.
Reviewed November 9, 2013ARTICLE&nbsp»

2011 Ken Brown Nielson Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., pH 3.66, TA 0.53, 231 cases,
$42. A new vineyard designate from Ken. Sourced from a replanted block (2000) under the direction of Ken
Brown in collaboration with the Mondavi family who owned the property at the time. High-density spacing of
Dijon clone 115.
·Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Uplifting aromatics of dark cherries and spice with
a hint of seasoned oak. Satisfying charge of earth-kissed black cherry fruit on the mid palate with a hint of
dried herbs in the background. The tannins are suede-like and dry, the balance is spot on and the finish is
replete with black cherry goodness. Nothing is out of place. An excellent cellar candidate.Score:92.
Reviewed November 9, 2013ARTICLE&nbsp»

2011 Ken Brown Rita’s Crown Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

14.3% alc., pH 3.37, TA 0.64, 67
cases, $42. Inaugural bottling from this vineyard, one of the newest in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA (planted in 2007).
One of the highest planted vineyards at 600 to 950 feet in the AVA. Soils are sandy loam with ancient seashell
deposits. Dijon clone 76. Whole cluster pressed, 100% barrel fermented with 70% malolactic fermentation,
and aged sur lie for 11 months in 17% new French oak barrels.
·Light golden yellow color and clear in the
glass. Attractive aromas of white peach, lemon curd and iron are replicated on the palate. The French oak is
beautifully integrated offering the slightest hint of vanilla and toast. The wine is smoothly textured in the mouth
and slightly viscous, with vibrant underlying acidity and some persistence of juicy green apple on the finish.
Very classy.Score:92.
Reviewed November 9, 2013ARTICLE&nbsp»

2010 Ken Brown Wines Cargassachi Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

$N/A. Clone 115.
·Very
representative of this vineyard with black fruits, an earthy and animale component and a deep richness on the
palate. The ripe, muscular tannins will benefit from more bottle aging. GoodReviewed April 13, 2013ARTICLE&nbsp»

2010 Ken Brown Wines Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.71, TA 0.56, 298 cases, $40. From Rio
Vista (78%), Rita’s Crown and Rancho La Vina vineyards providing an over view of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA.
100% de-stemmed, aged 10 months in 37% new French oak barrels.
·This is a very forward drinking wine that
will find wide appeal. It is aromatically expressive with scents of black cherry and spice, echoed on the palate
which is discreetly lush and pleasing. Beautiful integration of oak and seductively elegant. Very good.Reviewed April 13, 2013ARTICLE&nbsp»

2010 Ken Brown Wines Clos Pepe Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., pH 3.57, TA 0.61, 265
cases, $50. Pommard clone. 100% de-stemmed, aged 18 months in 43% French oak barrels.
·Red and black
fruits are featured in this very feminine expression of this vineyard. Nicely balanced with restrained tannins.
Demonstrates a wet rock aroma and a mineral-driven electric component on the palate. Very good.Reviewed April 13, 2013ARTICLE&nbsp»

2008 Ken Brown Cargassachi Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.7%
alc., pH 3.61, 137 cases, $50. From the 16-acre Cargassachi Vineyard planted
in 1998 to clone 115. The vineyard is at the extreme west end of the Sta. Rita
Hills AVA, making it one of the coolest vineyards in California. The Botella
Series soils have a high calcareous content, allowing excellent drainage while
limited yields. 100% de-stemmed. Aged 10 months in 43% new French oak
barrels.
·Deep, dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Packed with richly
flavored dark Pinot fruits complimented by oak-contributed mocha notes, robed
in supple tannins. Seductively smooth and velvety on the palate. The nose is
still primal and the wine will become more nuanced with more age. This Pinot
had several consumer fans at WOPN. Very good.Reviewed March 12, 2011ARTICLE&nbsp»

2007 Ken Brown Clos Pepe Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.7%
alc., $50. 100% Pommard.
·Lightest in color of the lineup of wines.
Demure aromas of cherries and berries. Well-flavored red and blue fruits
with lively acidity on the bright finish. Less tannic and more elegant than
past Clos Pepe bottlings from Ken Brown and more to my liking.Reviewed March 11, 2010ARTICLE&nbsp»

2006 Ken Brown Duncan’s Cuvee Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $25. Sourced primarily from Rio
Vista Vineyard with contributions from other local vineyards.
·This wine has a strange “diaper” aroma which
passes through to the flavors and ruins the experience. There is a decent dark red-fruited core which is
moderately sappy. The texture is rich and velvety and the tannins are well managed.Reviewed May 7, 2009ARTICLE&nbsp»

2006 Ken Brown Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $30.
Primarily sourced from the Babcock Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills.
·The nose is a bit reserved but pleasant showing scents of black cherries
and heavy oak. A fruit-driven wine propelled by dark stone fruits and
accents of root beer and toasty oak. Plenty of punch and richness that
picks up intensity in the glass. Very drinkable now.Reviewed May 7, 2009ARTICLE&nbsp»

2003 Ken Brown Wines Clos Pepe Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

I have sampled this on several occasions when young. As Ken said, the wine
“drank like a Cab, but oh what a ride!” However, with a few years of age, the
wine now showed more restraint and polish. The rough edges had disappeared, the tannins had
softened, and the aromatics were more bright and persistent. It is still a hulk of a wine, but more calm and
well-behaved..Reviewed July 23, 2007ARTICLE&nbsp»

2003 Ken Brown Clos Pepe Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., 122 cases, $45.
Initially this was a very intense and heady
wine resulting from scant yields (1 ton per acre) and the typically
robust fruit from this vineyard.
·A few years in the cellar has tamed the
beast. Dark ruby in color. Complex aromatics of dark fruits, freshly
baked cookies, toast and smoke. Darker Pinot fruits carry the theme to a
lengthy and tangy finish. Silky in texture with gossamer tannins. An argument
for aging Pinot Noir a few years before popping the cork. The website
is www.kenbrownwines.com.Reviewed --/--/--

2003 Ken Brown Clos Pepe Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., 122 cases, $45. Initially this was a very intense and heady wine resulting from scant yields (1 ton per acre) and the typically robust fruit from this vineyard.
·A few years in the cellar has tamed the beast. Dark ruby in color. Complex aromatics of dark fruits, freshly
baked cookies, toast and smoke. Darker Pinot fruits carry the theme to a lengthy and tangy finish. Silky in texture with gossamer tannins. An argument for aging Pinot Noir a few years before popping the cork.Reviewed November 20, 2007ARTICLE&nbsp»